Volunteer
Recycling Extravaganza
The Village of Downers Grove and the Downers Grove Park District will host a Recycling Extravaganza on Saturday, September 11, 2010 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Belmont Road Train Station in Parking Lot H. The event is in advance of Amnesty Day and gives residents of DuPage County an opportunity to recycle or donate items that may otherwise end up in a landfill.
Click here for more information.
If you or your organization is interested in volunteering your time or other resources for this event, contact Pat Semple at psemple@dgparks.org or (630) 963-1300 or Mary Van Milligen at mvanmilligen@downers.us or (630) 434-5652.
Instructors for Outdoor Education
The Downers Grove Park District has a trained volunteer staff that assists in providing quality outdoor educational programs. Volunteers should enjoy instructing small groups of children in an outdoor setting. Volunteers are able to sharpen their skills, gain knowledge and acquire job experience, while meeting new people - not to mention the fun they have along the way. Volunteers and class instructors are also needed to work with groups after school and on weekends. Training is provided. Interested persons should contact Pat Semple, Volunteer Coordinator, at (630) 963-1304 or via email at psemple@dgparks.org.
Interpretive Center Volunteers
Volunteers are needed throughout the year at our new Lyman Woods Interpretive Center to greet visitors, answer phones and provide program support. Volunteers should enjoy meeting new people, learning about Lyman Woods and sharing that knowledge with others. The Interpretive Center is located at 901 31st Street— two blocks east of Highland Avenue, just north of Good Samaritan Hospital. Volunteers are needed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1pm-4pm, Saturdays from 9am-4pm and Sundays from 1pm-4pm. Training is provided. Interested persons should contact Pat Semple, Volunteer Coordinator, or by email at psemple@dgparks.org
Land Management Volunteers
Volunteers are needed throughout the year to help restore and preserve the natural areas of Belmont Prairie and Lyman Woods. R.E.A.P. (Restore, Education, and Preserve) is a volunteer group dedicated to restoring these natural areas to their native state and maintaining their integrity for future generations. Land management activities that include collecting and sowing native seed, restoring trails with wood chips, removing invasive brush, and monitoring water quality and plant and animal species.
Volunteers gain personal satisfaction from doing work that benefits the community while cultivating lasting friendships with others who share their concern for the environment. Volunteers also reap the benefits of quarterly educational programs and an annual appreciation event. If you are interested in becoming a member of R.E.A.P., contact Pat Semple, Volunteer Coordinator, at (630) 963-1304 or via email at psemple@dgparks.org.
Safety instruction, tools, safety glasses and work gloves are provided for all volunteers. A signed waiver and release form is required.
Youth Volunteers
We welcome youth volunteers to join us. Youths must be at least 14 yrs old to participate at a workday without being accompanied by an adult. Youths 9-14 yrs old are encouraged to participate as part of an organized group but they must have adult supervision. All volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent/ guardian sign a waiver form before the students can volunteer.
Corporate, School and Scouting Groups
Community Groups make up a large part of our volunteer force. Scouting, school, church or corporate groups are welcome to join us on our scheduled workdays, but many choose to arrange a separate time for their group. Please contact us so we can set up a special workday for your group. If you choose to participate in a scheduled workday and your group is larger than 10, please contact us ahead of time so we can be prepared. Contact Pat Semple, Volunteer Coordinator, at (630) 963-1304 or via email at psemple@dgparks.org.
Recreation Volunteers – Programs & Facilities
Volunteers are needed to assist with special events, open gym, Kidzone, and the Active Adult Center in addition to serving as coaches for youth athletic teams. There are even opportunities available at our beautiful nine-hole Golf Course.
Docents Wanted!
The Museum is actively seeking new docents to join its crew! Become an integral component in preserving history's future!
Docents lead group tours through the Museum. Flexible hours. Training provided. A willingness to help keep history alive is the only requirement. Contact Christa Christensen, Museum Supervisor, at (630) 963-1309 or email her at cchristensen@dgparks.org for more information.
Volunteer Staff
The Downers Grove Park District Museum's enormous task of preserving the community’s past for future generations can only be accomplished with the assistance of dedicated individuals who are willing to share knowledge, talents, and time with others. If you are one of these people, we strongly encourage you to join the staff. There are activities for every interest. Our volunteer staff includes individuals who perform one or more duties as docents, collections specialists, administrative aides, program aides, researchers, maintenance assistants, and gardeners. If you would like more information about becoming a member of the volunteer staff, please contact Pat Semple at (630) 963-1304 or by e-mail psemple@dgparks.org. The following is a current list of the dedicated individuals who volunteer their time for the betterment of our community:
| Current Museum Volunteers | ||||
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| Sheila Rhodes | Alice Dornan | John Breen | Linda Bedard | Mary Ann Hall |
| Mary Ann Wolcott | Montrew Dunham | David Eblen | Angie Kelly | Dolores Kopeyka |
| David Thompson | Susan Eblen | Bob Jensen | Bill Kundert | Diane Mizener |
| Lorraine Krob | Jim Krusenoski | Bill Novak | John Page | |
| John Mochel | Helen Myers | Pat Pyburn | Elyssa Raysa | |
| Patty Page | Norma Plummer | Kimerly Thompson | Joyce Tumea | |
| Lois Sterba | Pat Cederoth | David Docekal | Phyllis Kmetz | |
Lynn Sullivan, Volunteer Emeritus |
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**In Memoriam
Sadly, Jan Verveer, the Museum's longest serving volunteer passed away on June 23, 2010. Jan was insturmental in the preservation of Downers Grove's history and sharing it with the community.
Volunteer of the Year
The Museum annually honors the most outstanding contributions to museum operations by a volunteer staff member. The Volunteer of the Year award is presented each spring at the volunteer recognition event. The following is a list of all the honored recipients:
| Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients | |||||||
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| 2006 | Annelis Hake | 2001 | Marcy Kaplan | ||||
| 2010 | Pat Cederoth | 2005 | Jim Hake | 2000 | Bob Arehart | ||
| 2009 | Montrew Dunham | 2004 | Bob Jensen | 1999 | John Breen | ||
| 2008 | Lois Sterba | 2003 | Elaine Scherrer | 1998 | Jim & Lorraine Krob | ||
| 2007 | Patty Page | 2002 | Marge Badke | 1997 | Dolores Kopeyka | ||
Upcoming Volunteer Workdays
Lyman Woods
August 14 and
November 20
Belmont Prairie
September 11 and October 16
Get your hands dirty at our volunteer workdays at Lyman Woods this fall! Workday projects include wood-chipping trails, cutting brush, hand-pulling non-native plants, and gardening. Workdays begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
You must pre-register at least one week in advance of the scheduled workday.
The number of volunteers may be limited for some workdays due to the sensitivity of the Natural Areas. Volunteers under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Pat Semple, Volunteer Coordinator, at psemple@dgparks.org to register for a workday.
